Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In a parking garage on the 4th floor. Backing out of space. While backing up, I hear a loud boom. Nothing behind me. Thought perhaps a tire failure. Put vehicle in drive to pull forward out of traffic lane, and the engine accelerated uncontrollably. Brakes wouldn't respond. By the grace of g-d or reflexes, I turned the wheel to the right to avoid flying through the guardrail and off the 4th story of the parking garage. Vehicle came to a halt when it smashed into a concrete support pillar. Both air bags detonated, passenger-side air bag apparently broke the windshield on that side. Engine shut off. Lights in passenger compartment turned on, hazards started flashing on/off (couldn't turn them off). Waited for tow truck for 5 hours. Tow drivers had to jump battery - couldn't get front hood open, back door electronic lock non-functional due to dead battery. …
A faint noise was heard and I pulled the vehicle over to the side of road walked around the entire vehicle looking to see if anything stood out, assessed the tires, engine and nothing appeared to be wrong. I proceeded to get on the ramp on and as I went through the toll booth driving around 40 MPH, the car accelerated to a speed of about 87 MPH, the steering could not be controlled it was almost as if it was in a locked position. Once the vehicle took off at the high speed, it then came almost to a complete stop. The sound of the engine was revving but the speed was not supporting the sound. I proceeded to brake, use the accelerator and was going back and forth between the two functions but neither would work. Scared to go into the flow of heavy traffic, I placed the vehicle in neutral which allowed me to roll down the ramp and onto the shoulder. …
Wife and children in car on highway. Slowed down car in traffic. All of sudden no acceleration as all forward gears provided no power. Car would go only in reverse. Car was on, just no forward power. OnStar found no trouble codes, mechanic scanner found no diagnostic trouble codes. Family had to be rescued by state highway patrol as care was broke down in middle lane of highway with semi trucks going 65mph on both sides.suspected catastrophic transmission failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 70 MPH, a loud noise was heard and the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the noise that was heard was a cv driveshaft located on the front passenger side. The manufacturer of the part was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle decelerated without warning and stalled. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the side of the contact's vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 55,999.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the transmission would make an abnormal noise when shifting into gear. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
The power steering (electrical) warning light came on and my power steering failed as I was pulling out of a gas station making a left hand turn. I was able to put the car in reverse and back into the parking lot. I turned the car off and restarted it. The same warning flashed and the power steering failed again. My wife, eight-year old daughter, and I were getting ready to get onto the expressway before this occurred. After doing research, I have uncovered the fact that GM has had this type of problem with the cobalt and other models (including many HHR owners) but have yet to recall the HHR for this problem even though there are many online complaints about the same exact problem occurring around the 45,000-60,000 mile mark. The fact that GM knows that certain components are failing and have not yet recalled the vehicle is troubling. …
*this an update on file number-# 10672324-2010 Chevrolet HHR-shifter problem on my last filing I stated that we had another recall on our 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Previous recalls were the ignition switch and the power steering system. But I found out that the key getting stuck when the car is in park, is not a official "recall ,but it should be! We received a letter warning us of the problem and if it occurred, GM would fix it for free. Well, as I reported , it did happened. My husband parked the car, and we were preparing to go to his doctor"s' appt. & to an evening service & the key got stuck. No power, no nothing, we tried everything. And that thing that the manual said would help us release the key, was not there. So the car, sat there draining the battery. Dr. Appt's were missed. And because we both had appt's coming up, we had to rent a car. But to sum it all up. …
Vehicle shut down due to power steering. Light came on, manual says to turn off engine and restart and it will clear light. However, when reaching speed of 40mph the power steering was again hard to turn. Again light came on. Vehicle is very hard to turn and get over to side of road especially if you are in the left hand lane and the power steering quits working. Upon the second time this happened, almost causing a wreck, it was extremely difficult to steer vehicle and get it off the roadway. Took vehicle to dealership and was told the vehicle needs power steering repair. Costing $365.00. What a costly repair on a new vehicle. I have had older vehicles that never had the power steering needing repair. Also ask that transmission be checked again. Vehicle has already had rebuilt transmission installed by GM/ Chevrolet. Transmission is still slipping when trying to get on freeway. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 45 MPH the gauges on the instrument cluster began to fluctuate abnormally as the transmission began to jump while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the sporadic failure four times where the body control module, lubricated the high speed Land modular connectors and replaced the power steering control module, all to no avail. The fourth visit to the dealer, per the manufacturer, the dealer was advised not to perform any further repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that because the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure they were unable to provide any further assistance. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 277 and the current mileage was 12,345.
Transmission complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, 4% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet HHR transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet HHR transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.